VisionTV responds to National Post article

    TORONTO, July 23 /CNW/ - In response to the July 23 National Post article
headlined "VisionTV gives Islamic radical more air time," VisionTV President
and CEO Bill Roberts issued the following statement:
    "There can be no doubt that allowing Israr Ahmad to appear on air the day
after we made a commitment to disassociate VisionTV from those who would
preach and support violence and hatred is an unacceptable failure of process.
    "We have taken clear steps to ensure that Mr. Ahmad will not appear on
VisionTV again.
    "For the record, it should be noted that Stewart Bell's article regarding
Israr Ahmad's appearance on the VisionTV series Dil Dil Pakistan is
misleading. The article conveys the impression that Mr. Ahmad made certain
statements about the Jewish people and the Holocaust on-air. This is not the
case.
    "VisionTV has consulted with the Canadian Jewish Congress and with B'nai
Brith Canada to determine the best means of bringing closure to this matter.
This will include a formal apology and a full review of our broadcast
standards and procedures.
    "The statements attributed to Mr. Ahmad in the Post come from his past
writings, and were not broadcast over the Canadian airwaves. I wish to make
clear that VisionTV would not and will not permit statements of this nature to
appear on our network.
    "Nevertheless, after discussions with VisionTV, the producer of Dil Dil
Pakistan has agreed to refrain from broadcasting lectures by Mr. Ahmad, and to
issue an apology. VisionTV has received assurances that this program will
never again provide a platform for those who would advocate racism, hatred or
violence.
    We will hold all of our faith programming partners to this standard - and
Dil Dil Pakistan is certainly on our priority watch list.
    "VisionTV profoundly regrets any offence that resulted from Mr. Ahmad's
appearances on our network. An on-air apology will be broadcast at the
earliest opportunity. And we will redouble our ongoing efforts to ensure that
all programming on VisionTV conforms to our stringent code of ethics.
    "Recognizing the seriousness of the concerns that have been raised,
VisionTV will form a task force including faith leaders and members of our
Board and management teams to undertake a comprehensive review of our current
standards and procedures.
    "In addition, VisionTV will submit this matter along with full
documentation to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council for a guiding
opinion, and to solicit suggestions for safeguarding our airwaves from hateful
behaviour and expression."

For further information: David Todd, Media Relations Manager, VisionTV,
Phone: (416) 368-3194, ext. 207, Email: dtodd@s-vox.com